These questions will be researched, debated and discussed at the ninth annual Live Surgery Workshop in Orlando, March 5-8, 2003. In addition to the scientific updates and discussion, 22 surgeries demonstrating a comprehensive range of surgical techniques, new instrumentation and special cases are scheduled.

The focus of the program is a true exchange of knowledge by practical, living education. More than 100 physicians, including some of the world's leading medical experts and research scientists on hair loss and restoration, will travel to Orlando for this international event.

"The Live Surgery Workshop, through the selfless and generous international faculty and attendees, has stimulated advances in research and the practical application to modern hair restoration," said Dr. Matt Leavitt, chair of the international event. "This year's thought-provoking program's contributions will be timely and vital to present and future hair restoration."

What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? What is the future?

The challenges

Children: Children can, and frequently do, experience hair loss due to disease, trauma, birth defects, scars. The good news is that they can be successfully treated by either medical or surgical means. Pediatric hair loss and appropriate approaches, including surgical, will be examined.

Special Cases: The permanent loss/absence of hair can affect any area of the body not just the scalp, including eyelashes and eyebrows. Eyelash and eyebrow transplantation cases are scheduled.

Women: The number of women suffering from hair loss continues to grow significantly. With different causes and patterns of hair loss than men, there are numerous considerations in planning effective treatment. Four surgeries on female patients are scheduled.

Products: Hundreds of products claiming to help hair loss are currently on the market. How can anyone sort through what is real and what is not?

Corrective: Innovative surgical techniques can improve unsightly results from older methods of transplantation, even through severely scarred areas. One corrective procedure is scheduled.

Ethnic Considerations: There are subtle but key differences in successful hair transplantation among each ethnic group. Surgical cases include African American, Asian, Hispanic and Caucasian patients.

The opportunities

Surgical Case Studies: Achieving desired density is a challenge in hair transplantation and the difference between a good and great result. Among the surgical procedures scheduled, two cases specifically designed as a side-by-side comparative study will be performed utilizing different techniques to establish which will produce greater density.

Follicular Unit Extraction: Follicular unit extraction is a newly refined surgical method of transplantation attracting interest that does not require any sutures. This innovative method will be demonstrated at the Workshop for the first time.

The Future

Cloning: If hair can be successfully cloned, then limited donor hair can be overcome for anyone desiring hair transplantation. The latest studies and findings in this field of research will be presented.

Medical Update: The highly anticipated drug dutasteride has received FDA approval for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Not indicated for hair loss, its mechanism of action is expected to be effective for male pattern baldness. The newest information on the drug will be presented. In the meanwhile, Propecia and Rogaine remain the only effective, approved medications for hair loss. Updates on both will be presented.

Each year the Live Surgery Workshop covers the latest techniques, research and instrumentation in hair loss. New research initiated at the Workshop each year provides great contributions to the field of hair loss. For more information on the Live Surgery Workshop, please visit the event's web site at www.livesurgeryworkshop.org.